Rallying the troops to restore Boston’s Old State House

Boston is a city of historic riches but we often take them for granted. In the year of its 100th anniversary, Fenway Park reminds us there have been some close calls. “America’s Most Beloved Ballpark” was nearly torn down not long ago. It took new owners and a vision of Fenway’s unique heritage to change course.

In 2013, another of our great national treasures will celebrate a milestone anniversary, three life spans of Fenway, and it too was nearly torn down — twice.

Built in 1713, the Old State House is the oldest public building to survive from Colonial America and sits quietly in the heart of our downtown business community. Owned by the city of Boston, this historic building is maintained and operated by the Bostonian Society, a private nonprofit organization twice credited with rescuing it from destruction. It is a building we treasure without investment, despite the obvious fact that, as with any 300-year-old building, the Old State House requires constant care.

Historians agree that no surviving landmark from pre-revolutionary America equals the importance of the Old State House in recounting the story of our nation’s struggle for freedom. The American Revolution began here.The Boston Massacre occurred here

James Otis railed against taxation without representation, Samuel Adams debated the Stamp Act and Tea Tax, our founding principles of self-government were decided within these halls, and the Declaration of Independence was first read to the jubilant citizens of Boston from the balcony.

The Bostonian Society is launching a dramatic new “must-see” visitor experience and an ambitious three-phased restoration of the building that will restore it to its former glory. It is a compelling vision that will require the enthusiastic and generous support of the whole community, and we invite you now to join us and other civic, political and business leaders in this important endeavor. The Bostonian Society has a multitude of opportunities for sponsorship and participation — including use of this unique national treasure for private events.

The Old State House is an irreplaceable asset, and we must be as proud of this national treasure as we are of our champion sports teams. The vision is there; the resources are not. Together we can transform this extraordinarily important site into a place of nationally recognized significance and the pride of the commonwealth.